Plywood, WPC, or Aluminium? The Ultimate Guide to a Termite-Proof Kitchen in Kerala

You have designed the layout. You have chosen the color. Now comes the boring but critical question: "What is inside the box?"

The "Carcass" (the body of the cabinet) is the skeleton of your kitchen. If you choose the wrong material, your beautiful kitchen will be sagging, rotting, or eaten by termites within three years.

In Kerala, where humidity is high and termites are aggressive, the standard "Particle Board" (used by many big brands) is a disaster waiting to happen. Here is the honest truth about the Top 3 Materials we use in 2026.

1. Marine Plywood (The "Strongman")

• The Spec: You must use IS 710 Grade BWP (Boiling Water Proof) Plywood. Not "Commercial Ply" (IS 303).

• The Pros:

  • Screw Holding: It grips screws like a vice. Your hinges won't come loose even after 10 years of opening/closing.

  • Strength: You can load heavy granite or vessels on it without it bending.

• The Cons:

  • Termites: Even treated plywood can be eaten if the wall behind it is damp. It is 90% termite-resistant, not 100%.

  • Water: It can handle splashes, but if a pipe leaks inside the cabinet for a week, it might swell.

• Verdict: The best choice for Wall Units (Overhead) and tall pantry units.
  

2. WPC (The "Water Warrior")

• The Spec: Wood Plastic Composite (a mix of wood fiber and thermoplastics).

• The Pros:

  • 100% Waterproof: You can submerge a WPC board in a bucket of water for a month. It won't change shape.

  • 100% Termite Proof: Termites cannot digest plastic. They will starve before they eat this.

• The Cons:

  • Screw Loosening: It is softer than plywood. Heavy hinges can loosen over time if not fixed with special PVC screws or wooden fillers.

  • Heat: It can bend slightly if placed right next to a very hot oven.

• Verdict: The mandatory choice for the Sink Unit (where water leaks happen) and Base Units in termite-prone areas.
  

3. Aluminium / ACP (The "Lifetime" Choice)

• The Spec: Aluminium box sections with ACP (Aluminium Composite Panel) shutters.

• The Pros:

  • Indestructible: Fireproof, waterproof, rustproof, and termite-proof. It lasts forever.

  • Hygiene: Fungus cannot grow on metal. It is the cleanest option.

• The Cons:

  • The "Sound": It clangs when you close it. It lacks the solid "thud" of wood.

  • The Look: It can feel a bit "clinical" or like an office pantry, though new wood-finish ACPs are improving.

  • Dents: If you kick it hard, it dents. Wood chips, but metal dents.

• Verdict: Perfect for "Rough Kitchens" (Work Areas) or rental properties where tenants might be careless.

Why risk it? We use a "Mix & Match" Strategy for the ultimate durability:

1. Sink Zone: Use WPC. (Zero rot risk).

2. Base Units (Floor): Use WPC or High-Density Multiwood. (Termite protection from the ground).

3. Wall Units (Top): Use Marine Plywood. (High strength for heavy crockery).

4. Shutters (Front): Use Acrylic or PU Paint on Ply. (For that luxury finish).

Don't let a salesperson talk you into "Engineered Wood" (MDF/HDF) just because it's cheap. In Kerala, it acts like a sponge. Spend a little more on the Carcass now, and you won't be replacing the kitchen in 2030.

Building a Modular Kitchen? Don't guess the material. Touch it. Come to our office and do the "Water Bucket Test" on our WPC and Plywood samples.

👉 Get a Kitchen Material Quote - +91 94001 00010